Deputy Superintendent of Police Dayanand Gawade, currently attached to the Pune unit of the state anti-corruption bureau (ACB), is among the police officers posted in Pune who have been nominated for the presidential medal for distinguished services, ahead of the 77th Republic Day.
In his 29 years of police service, Gawade has received 1,170 rewards. Among his best actions during his duties at the local crime branch (LCB), he played a role in the arrest of as many as 440 wanted accused, with the recovery of 47 firearms from their possession.
Two police officers from Pimpri Chinchwad, Deputy Commissioner of Police Vitthal Kubade and Police Inspector Amol Phadtare, have been nominated for the Presidential Medal for Distinguished Services. Both officers have worked in different police establishments and were also part of anti-Naxal operations. Phadtare has even worked with the elite C 60 commando in the Naxal affected areas of Gadchiroli district.
Police Inspector Avinash Shankarrao Shilimkar, who currently heads the local crime branch (LCB) of the Pune rural police officer, has also been nominated for the presidential medal. Shilimkar has worked with various police establishments in the state and was involved in detecting sensitive cases. In January 2023, seven members of a family were rescued from the Bhima river in Daund taluka of Pune. Investigation by a team led by Shilimkar revealed that it was not a case of mass suicide, but all seven people were allegedly murdered.
Others who are also nominated for the President’s Medal include Deputy Sub-Inspector Pradip Sahebrao Sawant of State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) Group 1, Havaldars Rajendra Ghangar and Sunil Lande, both posted at Yerwada Central Prison.